Ministerial cooling-off period

By Robert WainwrightFebruary 12 2003

NSW MPs may be forced to observe a "cooling-off period" after retirement before they can set up consultancies in their portfolio areas.

The Premier, Bob Carr, yesterday promised to make an announcement before the state election after embarrassing revelations that the Minister for Gaming and Racing, Richard Face, would set up a gambling consultancy when he retires on election day, March 22.

While Mr Carr dismissed calls to sack Mr Face, he conceded there was a valid concern about "post separation" from politics - an issue that the federal ALP has railed against because of consultancies set up by former Liberal ministers Michael Wooldridge, John Fahey and Peter Reith.

Mr Carr said the idea of a cooling-off period in federal or state politics would also have affected the situation of former Liberal premier Nick Greiner, who accepted a position on the board of a tollway company after leaving politics.

Mr Face's announcement has prompted accusations of a conflict of interest and calls by the Opposition spokesman on gaming and racing, George Souris, for Mr Face to be sacked.");document.write("

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"How can Mr Carr condone Mr Face touting for business in the sensitive liquor and gaming industries while still the minister responsible for those industries in this state?" Mr Souris said in a statement.

"Under any standard of commonsense ethics it should be completely prohibited to be scouting for potential business opportunities in the current portfolio a minister was acting in."

The Opposition spokesman on state affairs, Barry O'Farrell, said a Coalition government would establish a code of conduct which set out a cooling-off period.

Mr Face's spokesman said he would open the consultancy in Newcastle. It would not breach public trust or parliamentary ethics because Mr Face would not be involved until retiring from Parliament.